2011 Hertford College Magazine (Issue 91)

Hertford report: Saving the college barges
described in the exhibition catalogue as ‘a
fairground parody of a Greek temple, but
beautifully built and entirely charming’.
“ a fairground parody of a
Greek temple, but beautifully
built and entirely charming ”
With six barges intact, but in various
states of decay, the Trust saw it as a matter
of urgency to raise funds quickly to
preserve the survivors. Although the film
tells the history of the barges, it concentrates
on the saving and restoration of the
Jesus Barge. John Smith, MP at the time
for the Cities of London and Westminster,
provided the funds to pay for its restora-
The restored Jesus Barge (photo: Keith Sheather)
tion. He had also helped fund the return
of Brunel’s steamship ‘The Great Britain’
to Bristol. The film follows the hazardous
towing of the barge down the Thames to
a builder’s yard in Teddington. The top
heavy superstructure made it particularly
susceptible to the wind. Equipped
with a steel hull and colourfully restored,
the Jesus Barge was moored at Maidenhead
until sadly destroyed by arson.
Keith Sheather would be happy to provide
DVDs of his film ‘Campaign’ at cost (£10
+ £2p&p) to Old Members, who should
contact him at 12, Little Stoke Road, Stoke
Bishop, Bristol BS9 1HQ
(e-mail: sheather@blueyonder.co.uk).
May Eights Week 1966 fund raisers in costume beside Hertford Barge (photo: Keith Sheather)
32. HERTFORD COLLEGE MAGAZINE